Coleus (Plectranthus 'Uf0646' REDHEAD)
Discover Plectranthus 'Uf0646' REDHEAD Coleus, offering vibrant rose-red color tolerance in sun or shade. Low-maintenance annual color.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD, commonly known as Coleus, is celebrated for its outstanding foliage, providing reliable, vibrant color where many plants struggle. This specific cultivar, Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD, offers exceptional adaptability, maintaining its intense rose-red pigmentation across both shady areas and brighter light conditions. Gardeners prize this annual for its low maintenance requirements and its ability to create instant, dramatic impact in beds and containers.
As a member of the Lamiaceae family, this Coleus features semi-succulent, four-sided stems and strongly toothed, ovate leaves packed with color. It grows vigorously as an annual in most climates, reaching up to 4 feet tall, though regular pinching keeps it tidier. Its superior heat tolerance makes Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD a far more reliable performer through hot summers than many traditional foliage bedding plants.
While it does produce small lavender blooms late in the season, the true ornamental value of this plant lies entirely in its leaves. Growers often choose to remove the inconspicuous flowers to direct energy back into foliage production, ensuring the plant remains bushy and colorful throughout the growing season. Use this versatile Coleus to add vertical interest or fill spaces needing continuous, low-effort visual appeal.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Annual
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-4 ft
- Spread: 2-2.5 ft
- Bloom Time: Flowers not showy
- Bloom Description: Lavender
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance, plant Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD in an evenly moist, well-draining soil mix. Although it performs beautifully in part shade, this specific ‘REDHEAD’ cultivar exhibits excellent sun tolerance, allowing placement in areas receiving full sun, provided soil moisture is consistent. Start seed cultivars indoors 8 to 12 weeks prior to the last frost date, or purchase inexpensive starter plants from local nurseries in the spring for immediate bedding or container use.
Care is relatively straightforward, reflecting its low maintenance rating. Water deeply when the top inch of soil begins to dry, as consistent moisture is key to preventing wilting and maintaining vibrant foliage color. To encourage a denser, bushier habit, regularly pinch back the growing tips, especially early in the season. Since the blooms are not showy, deadheading is usually unnecessary, allowing the plant to flower later without impacting overall aesthetics.
As the season ends, gardeners in cooler zones wishing to save their favorite specimen have several options. Containers can be carefully brought indoors before the first frost to overwinter as houseplants. Alternatively, beloved plants can be dug up and potted for indoor protection. Easiest of all, cuttings from Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD root readily, whether placed directly in clean potting soil or simply set in a glass of water, providing free plants for next year or for indoor winter displays.
Landscape Uses
The versatility of this Coleus makes Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD an exceptional choice for nearly any landscape situation short of deep, dry shade. Its size potential, reaching up to 4 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide when treated as an annual, allows it to be an excellent vertical accent in mixed borders where winter hardiness is not a concern. For areas needing year-round patio interest, it excels in containers and hanging baskets, where its vibrant red foliage cascades beautifully over the edges.
In bedding applications, use this plant toward the middle or back of the arrangement, pairing it with plants that complement its strong red tone, such as silver-leafed companions or deep purple foliage. Because it maintains good color even in the shade, it fills transitional areas beautifully. When overwintering indoors, the potted Coleus serves as a striking, large-leafed houseplant throughout the winter months.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Insignificant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Plectranthus is a genus of about 350 species of annuals, evergreen perennials, semi-succulents and shrubs from Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Australasia and Pacific Islands. Commonly called coleus, hybrid cultivars are widely grown as ornamentals. An almost infinite number of leaf color combinations are available including most colors of the spectrum except true blue. Cultivars range in size from dwarf 6” tall plants to large mounded 3’ tall plants. Four-sided stems are semi-succulent. Showy multi-colored leaves are generally ovate to oblong and toothed. Leaves frequently feature mixtures of colors in irregular patterns. Blue to white nettle-like flowers (more common on seed strains) bloom in racemes in summer to early fall, but are not showy and tend to visually detract from the symmetry and attractiveness of the plants.Genus name comes from the Greek words plectron meaning “spur” and anthos meaning “flower” in reference to the spur-shaped flowers of some members of the genus. ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD is a hybrid cultivar with excellent heat and sun tolerance, and can also maintain its rose-red vibrant color in the shade. It flowers later in the season than other cultivars, reducing the need to deadhead. REDHEAD can reach 4’ tall and 2.5’ wide when grown as an annual in ideal conditions. Plant patent number PP21585 applies to this cultivar.
Tolerances
No data provided for specific tolerances beyond general hardiness zones.
Potential Problems
Fortunately, Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD rarely suffers from serious insect or disease issues, contributing to its low-maintenance nature. However, persistently warm, dry conditions or stressed plants can occasionally attract common houseplant pests. Keep an eye out specifically for mealybugs and spider mites, particularly if the plant is brought indoors for overwintering. Regular inspection and prompt treatment with insecticidal soap or neem oil will keep infestations under control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Coleus suitable for?
Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD is hardy only in USDA Zones 10 through 12. For gardeners outside these zones, it should be grown as an annual or carefully brought indoors before frost.
How large does Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD get?
This Coleus typically reaches a height between 1.5 and 4 feet tall, with a spread ranging from 2 to 2.5 feet wide when grown under ideal annual conditions.
What sun exposure does Coleus need?
This plant prefers full sun to part shade. A key feature of the ‘REDHEAD’ cultivar is its resilience, maintaining its vibrant rose-red color even when situated in shade.
When does Coleus bloom?
The flowers of Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD are not showy, typically appearing as spikes of lavender color later in the season.
Conclusion
Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD Coleus offers gardeners a robust, heat-tolerant source of continuous color with minimal fuss, making it an invaluable annual bedding or container specimen. Its capacity to thrive in both sun and shade, coupled with its striking red foliage, ensures year-round garden interest. Check your local hardiness zone compatibility or plan ahead for successful overwintering to enjoy this superior Coleus variety season after season.
Propagation Tips
One of the easiest ways to multiply your Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD stock is through vegetative cuttings taken in the fall. Snap off stem sections approximately 4 to 6 inches long, ensuring they have several nodes where leaves attach. Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top set intact. These cuttings root quickly and reliably, either placed directly into moist, sterile potting soil or suspended in a clear glass of water on a bright windowsill.
Once rooted—a process that can take just a couple of weeks in water—transplant them into small pots filled with a quality potting medium. Placing these cuttings in a bright location, out of direct, intense afternoon sun, helps them establish a strong root system before winter acclimation. This simple propagation method guarantees you retain the exact characteristics of your favorite ‘REDHEAD’ patches without waiting for spring seeds.
Companion Planting
Because Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ REDHEAD requires medium water and well-drained soil, companion plants should share similar cultural needs to simplify irrigation and care routines. Pair this colorful annual with other shade-tolerant, moisture-loving textural plants like ferns, impatiens, or heucheras (Coral Bells) in shady borders. If growing in full sun containers, ensure that the companions, such as calibrachoa or sweet potato vine, can handle the brighter exposure while benefiting from the consistent watering required by the Coleus.
